Why job seekers and social media are the perfect match - The case for Twitter

And what a fine case it is to be made. This post in one of three centred around how savvy job hunters can use their social channels to nab that dream job. Twitter is under the microscope today, followed by Facebook and then LinkedIn in the coming weeks. Hold onto your hats!

Social media isn’t exactly the new kid on the block anymore. We all know the wonders and prowess of our social endeavours, and how these nifty channels can help us scope out and nail opportunities galore. That said, why are so many under-utilising social currency? There’s a world of influencers, employers and showcasing possibilities out there just waiting for you to action. And job hunters really need to join the party.

So, let’s talk Twitter. It’s a platform not as commonly linked with job searching as it perhaps should be but the tide is turning. Both employers and searchers are waking up to the non-stop shop of connection, role news and industry/talent insight. Now is the time to make Twitter more than an optional extra and promote it to the highest ranks of job search worthiness.

Your Twitter Talent Toolbox.

Over 90% of companies use our Twittery friend for hiring, and if that’s not the best reason to get onboard I don’t know what is. Using the platform for search success isn’t rocket science, it’s a mixed box of quality content, hashtag-lovin’ and authentic connection. And with so many tools and tips out there, there’s no excuse for job hunters to not be in hiring heaven.

Here’s your very own tip stairway to heaven, Twitter mastery and careers success awaits.

Profile etiquette.

• Be active.

There’s nothing worse than a lazy, irrelevant profile. Keep things updated and stay on top of your engagement. The key to social success is consistency. Creating a consistent personal brand screams volumes for you as a candidate and modern mover.

• Use real name / photo.

Avoid clever handles, make it easy for people to search for you. Your Twitter account is here to be a professional and personal asset, treat it as such. This is a job search tool, an extension of you as a candidate so make it clear and employer-friendly. Don’t be afraid to show personality but be clear as to why you’re on Twitter.

• Share and share alike.

Don’t just shamelessly promote yourself, support and retweet others in your community. If you go in too strong with retweets and favourites it will reek of insincerity. Be selective and strategic in your Twitter activity, it’s an approach that will lead to evergreen candidate success.

• Follow like a pro.

Be eclectic, active and considered. Tick all the boxes. Follow job search experts, main influencers and dream companies. These companies often have hiring initiative pages, so follow the folks you’d like to work for and even the employees that front it.

Showcase, showcase, showcase.

• Get your personal branding down.

Your attitude to personal branding could be your hireability winner. If you’re going to showcase your talent and skills, underpin them all with a great personal brand. It will anchor your communications and aid in professionalism.

• Be a one stop shop.

Use Twitter as a launching pad. Make sure you have other avenues that Tweeters can travel down to learn more about you and your value. Add links to projects you’re working on, get a blog up and running or collect everything together in a nifty personal site. Use Twitter as the door to you.

• Show personality.

This is just as much a thing to showcase as your talent. Your cultural fit is just as relevant as your skillset in the modern recruitment marketplace. Be a real person with real interests and ambitions. This will make connection easier and valuable.

• Keep your resume handy.

Don’t share it our all over the shop, and only send in the right situations. Have a short link version to hand for when the right opp surfaces.

Be a thought leader.

• Twitter’s great for establishing yourself as thought leader.

LinkedIn ticks the professional experience box, Twitter adds flesh to those bones. You want people to see you as a go-to source for advice and guidance.

• Share articles on industry, be a resource.

Whether you want discuss stats or interact with major players, Twitter is the tool of choice. It breaks down the barriers between influencers and followers, making it easier for connection. It also showcases your industry knowledge, a key asset to employers.

• Offer value.

Contribute good content and be someone worth following. Use the likes of TweetDeck to observe and contribute to the industry and your engagement across the board. Be the first to answer tweets, see positions and interact with your network. It shows potential employers that you care, and that consistency and sharing resources is important to you.

Twitter tools to love.

• Make lists.

This is an invaluable resource and way of collecting knowledge. It’s also flattering, everyone likes to be added, it’s a mark of admiration. Get into the habit of adding to these lists, they come in handy when researching positions and career opps.

• Use hashtags.

By far Twitter’s greatest feature. Add keywords /tags in bio and into tweets. Be sure to show up in right places and searches, recruiter’s use Twitter too you know!

When searching for jobs, be fluent in the best and most relevant hashtags. Industry terms and job titles change so have an updated grasp before you pick your hashtags.

• DM potential referees.

Direct message can be a great tool if used correctly. Don’t pester or flood your followers with messages, instead build up a connection so they’ll be more inclined to respond and help.

Tell influencers or fellow followers you’re looking for new opp, they may be able to point you in the direction and offer an intro.

The key to Twitter is to be an engaged candidate. It’s not enough to just tweet occasionally and sit back and observe. For real impact you need to get in there and get your hands dirty. Search, interact, contribute and offer your community value. Don’t just apply the same social strategy to every channel, look at what Twitter can offer you as a potential candidate and push its benefits to the max.

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